Meaning & Definition of Prevail in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: to be victorious or succeed in a particular situation

  Example Sentence: The truth will ultimately prevail over falsehood.

• Definition: to exist or be in force generally

  Example Sentence: The principles of justice prevail in the courtroom.

• Definition: to persuade or convince someone to do something

  Example Sentence: They prevailed upon him to join them for dinner.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'prevaloir', from Latin 'praevalere' (to be stronger).

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• prevail upon: to persuade someone to do something
• to prevail in court: to win a legal case
• prevailing winds: winds that dominate a particular area

Translations

• Spanish: prevalecer

• French: prévaloir

• German: vorherrschen

• Russian: преобладать

Related Words

• prevalent: widespread in a particular area at a particular time

• prevailing: most common or widespread at a certain time

Slang Meanings of prevail

• Meaning: to come out on top

  Example Sentence: In the end, they always prevail over their competitors.

• Meaning: win against the odds

  Example Sentence: She had to fight hard, but she managed to prevail.